People support Chick-fil-A in 'Appreciation Day'

Customers crowded Chick-fil-A restaurants and drive-throughs in Newport News and Hampton on Wednesday as part of a support effort started by two former Republican U.S. presidential candidates.

Mike Huckabee and Rick Santorum asked people to eat at Chick-fil-A restaurants on Wednesday in a "Chick-fil-A Appreciation Day," according to Reuters. Gay-rights advocates called for boycotts of the chain after Chick-fil-A president Dan Cathy told an online religious newspaper that he supports the "biblical definition of the family unit" and called gay marriage supporters "arrogant."

"We're always busy, but it is busy to a different magnitude today," said owner James Perry of the Chick-fil-A on Market Place Drive in Hampton.

The restaurant had to order more supplies and picked up more food in a rental truck, said Perry's wife, Sheila. The drive-through line extended out of the shopping center service roads to Mercury Boulevard. Other Chick-fil-A restaurants in the region experienced similar increased business, managers said.

Many customers, like David Hefner II of Newport News and Mike and Robin Ship of Hampton, came as part of the Appreciation Day effort because Chick-fil-A values fall in line with their Christian beliefs. And, of course, they like the chicken.

Hefner came with his family and a dozen others from Liberty Baptist Church. The Liberty University graduate said that he holds the biblical position that marriage is between a man and woman, and respected Cathy for stating his beliefs. Plus, he likes the chain's family-oriented events and customer service.

"I'm a Christian and I support their view and the right to have their view," said Mike Ship, who ate dinner with his wife Robin and their 2-year-old son after finding out about the Appreciation Day on Facebook.

He said he realizes everyone has different beliefs and added, "Whether you agree with it or not, you've got to agree with their right to say it."

Gary and Tanika Gray of Newport News said they came to support the company because of its values, high moral standards and commitment to family. They agree with the biblical definition as marriage being "ordained by God for a husband and wife," but they don't judge others who disagree.

"We respect everyone and their choices but that doesn't mean we have to agree with it," Tanika Gray said.

Earl Andrews, 77, of Newport News said the Chick-fil-A on Victory Boulevard in York County was swamped when he went to pick up lunch. He planned to participate in the event a week ago and said a "silent majority came out in force" to support the fast food chain.

"I think we have a right to speak up and say what we believe in," Andrews said.

While Andrews said he believes marriage should be between a man and woman, he said he respects people's right to choose and that same-sex couples ought to have rights, too.

Executive Director Stacie Walls-Beegle of the LGBT Center of Hampton Roads in Norfolk agreed that Cathy has a right to free speech and that his stance is no surprise to the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community. Likewise, consumers can choose whether to support a company with their dollars, she said.

"The concern is that this is a company who could potentially be advocating for less rights than others," Walls-Beegle said. "That's their prerogative. They can do that, but consumers also have a choice to make an impact on that."

Same-sex couples across the country plan a kiss-in at Chick-fil-A restaurants on Friday, according to Reuters. GetEQUAL Virginia is planning to protest and boycott the Chick-fil-A at 2013 Lynnhaven Parkway in Virginia Beach on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., said state organizer Beth Brooker.

Brooker said Cathy can say what he wants and the "religious right can eat their Chick-fil-A sandwiches and drink their lemonade," but that the goal of the protest is to inform people about discrimination and where their money is going.

"We're using this as an opportunity to educate people who are going to Chick-fil-A," Brooker said.

But on Wednesday, customers like Nicole Wright of Newport News just wanted tasty food.

"You believe what you believe, but I like Chick-fil-A," the 24-year-old said. "The chicken's great."